Unified Basketball making the 'disabilities disappear'

Friday

MARCY — Playing on Whitesboro’s Unified Basketball team has given student-athletes like Alisha Restive and Alyssa Sherline the opportunity to build relationships that otherwise would never exist.

Now the two aren’t just teammates, they are friends.

Restive, a senior and YouTube curator (Halloweentown01), has played on Whitesboro’s Unified Basketball team – established in 2018 – for the last two years and the Unified Bowling team for just one year.

”My favorite part has been meeting all of my friends and teammates like Ally,” Restive said. “I can be shy sometimes, but this program allows me to be a more social person.”

Sherline – a senior defender on Whitesboro’s girls soccer team – didn’t even know what Unified Sports was before Whitesboro Athletic Director Mike Deuel told her she would be a good fit for it.

Now, she is a member of the Youth Activation Committee (YAC), which does not play in the games but helps get the athletes ready to play.

“It’s about making relationships and talking to people I usually wouldn’t get to meet,” Sherline said. “When I see (my teammates) in the halls, it makes me so happy. It makes my day”

Friday’s Unified Basketball game between Whitesboro — coached by Donna Deuel and former Whitesboro varsity basketball coach Steve Heitz — and Shannon McPheron's Camden team at Whitesboro High School was Senior Night for both teams.

Players and partners from both teams were honored with gift bags and flowers at midcourt before the game. Mike Deuel also said Whitesboro athletes wore their team jerseys during school.

“It gives them a chance to represent their school,” Mike Deuel said. “It gives them a sense of community and belonging. Some of these kids would never have gotten that.”

Unified Basketball brings together “players” – the athletes with disabilities – with “partners” who cannot be members of the school’s varsity basketball teams or any other spring sport. No more than two partners can be on the court at one time.

Currently, there are six Tri Valley League schools – Whitesboro, Camden, Central Valley Academy, New Hartford, Oneida and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill – that participate in Unified Sports.

“The goal is to get more area schools involved in Unified Sports,” said Mike Deuel, who also served as the scoreboard operator for Friday’s game.

Senior Don Martin – a first-year partner on Whitesboro’s Unified Basketball team – said the experience has completely changed the way he thinks.

“I didn’t used to really think about it at all,” Martin said. “These kids are special. They really support all of our other varsity teams. It’s nice to be able to give something back to them.”

Martin said he gets just as much from playing Unified Sports as he gives to the players on his team. Junior guard Zach Ruffing – who is playing in his second season – is one of those players.

“When Zach (Ruffin) shot a three and swished it,” said Martin. “I’ve never seen a kid happier in my life. It makes me feel really good inside. It’s been beautiful this year.”

Becky Ruffing – Zach’s mom and biggest fan – believes the relationships and friendships her son has built over the last two years have made a significant difference in his life.

“He gets so excited on game days,” Becky Ruffing said. “It is great that he has something positive to do after school. It’s like the disabilities disappear when they’re on the court.

“My family really appreciates what the school and Mr. Deuel have done for Zach. Sometimes I leave the gym in tears.”

Unified Basketball games are about inclusion and friendship, but the athletes that take the court – like Camden’s Dakota Simmons – still know how to show their emotions after a good play.

The junior guard entered the game in the first quarter and on his team’s first possession out of a timeout, he knocked down a three-pointer from the right wing. He began yelling with excitement and beating his chest to celebrate the shot.

“I love shooting threes,” Simmons said before the game. “But playing on this team and making new friends has been my favorite part. I love it.”

Friday’s game – which included a halftime passing skills competition – ended with Whitesboro winning 38-35, but the final score didn’t seem to really matter as players, coaches and fans slapped high-fives and hugged after the game.

“No one will remember the score tomorrow,” said Deuel. “But they will remember the fun they had.”

Contact reporter James McClendon at 315-792-5021 or follow him on Twitter @OD_McClendon.

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